Final Ross O'Carroll Kelly book to be released

volchitsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122215669#Comment_122215669

I didn't know Paul Howard had written one but as a fan of ROCK, even though I haven't read all the books, I''m sorry it didn't get more publicity. I might order it.

I have read "Prophet song" though and was very disappointed - I found it very derivative. Margaret Atwood did a much better job 40 years ago.

Dubmany

It's about time he moved on, he's not doing anything with any new RO'CK book that he hasn't already done. He still has time to write something more profound that reaches an international audience rather than some relatively small subsection of Irish society.

JupiterKid

Loved the Ross O'Carroll-Kelly books, especially the first 12 or so where Howard perfectly captured the the Dublin southside idioms, its hypocrisy and culture - and took the complete p*ss out of it.

Brilliant satire on early 21st century Dublin life. 😁😁

Sgt Hartman

I thought the boos were great and the characters well written. I haven’t read the most recent two books yet however. I hope that vile daughter of his finally gets her comeuppance.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122538696#Comment_122538696

But is Honor anymore vile than Ross and almost every other character?

I will say I found it hard to like her,I'm not sure you're supposed to like her?

She's involved in some very funny story lines in a few of the more recent books.

Her character development certainly improves and provides some of the best and most touching moments with Ross in the later books.

Heroditas

There's some wonderful moments between Ross and Honor and, in many ways, he has also improved as the books progressed, particularly his relationship with his parents.

I just can't stand Ronan though and how everything he says is spelt phonetically. It destroys any continuity when you're reading the books.

I do like k-k-k-k-kennet' though

talla10

Ah the end of an era. Much like Ross I was a teenager when these came out and now I'm forty in a few weeks and these have been my favourite book to read each year. I don't think I'll read the last one just yet! So many genuinely laugh out loud moments over the years

By accident I got caught up in the Dalkey lobster festival yesterday.

Enough for at least 2 Paul Howard books in that.

silliussoddius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122541952#Comment_122541952

We’re talking Dalkey, we’re talking lobsters, we’re talking all the goys. High fives all round.

trashcan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122207264#Comment_122207264

I saw the play too and enjoyed it. One line that stuck with me (from Sorcha) “ I can smell Lynx- Oh my God Ross, have you been using public transport ?”

nullzero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122543513#Comment_122543513

Lobsters, Heinos and hijinks, not a skobie in sight.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122541952#Comment_122541952

“By accident” - yeah roight 🤪

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122543553#Comment_122543553

I remember:

"Cmon Ross, you need to think, you need to use the thing that separates us from the animals"

Ross: "........the liffey?!"

Insect Overlord

He's getting some great reactions to the new book since the Oasis news started gaining traction. 😁

aero2k

Many years ago I read a couple of the newspaper columns, but couldn't get into them at all. Then someone loaned my son one of the early books, and I had a look - two paragraphs in and I was hooked. Definitely not books to be read on crowded public transport (the horror!) if you're any way self conscious. My idea of great literature is something that draws you in so you feel as if you're actually present in the scenario being described…like John Steinbeck for example. Of course the books are light in tone, but Howard really does get the reader into the scene, especially if you're any way familiar with Dublin.

Many great passages, but my favourite was the description of the car trip from Foxrock to the Square, Tallaght, in the hope of recovering Ross's stolen phone:

"I'm looking out the window, and I'm going 'how can people live like this? The squalor, the depravation, it's focking inhuman!'. J.P. says 'relax Ross, we're not there yet. This is Terenure.'".

*edited to remove awful typo.

silliussoddius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122550809#Comment_122550809

One of the stand out paragraphs for me, also. I think there should be a R'OCk day in Dublin, have it replace Bloom day. Instead of people wearing funny straw hats, we can wear dubes, chinos and Leinster Rugby jerseys.

aero2k

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122551026#Comment_122551026

Yeah, and drive around throwing paper money out the windows and shouting "Affluence!"

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122551450#Comment_122551450

"The breadline"!

aero2k

Another: J.P's old man, having give Ross a job in his Estate agent's business, at the end of a litany of the dubious skills Ross had learned under his wing "you have no heart, and no soul. I'm so proud of you!"

BPKS

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122551026#Comment_122551026

That happens every time Leinster play at the RDS, just go to one of those games dressed up like you described.

griffin100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122551026#Comment_122551026

Ah Bloomsday, Halloween for w@nkers as Ross describes it.

silliussoddius

On the Guard that pulled him over: "the Blackie Connors head on him"

Say Your Number

Finished the final book yesterday, as I said in the OP the storyline got too ludicrous about ten years ago, but the final one was still hilarious and a bit of poignancy in the end, in a way I'm sad they are over, but it's probably better to finish before they stop being funny, looking forward to see what he does next.

LeoD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122207138#Comment_122207138

I haven't read them but my 12 year old has read one or two and liked them so I was thinking would I get him the series for Christmas. My son did ask me if it was appropriate for his age and my response was how inappropriate could it be? Now I'm slightly concerned… So what would be the age suitability for these books?

LeoD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122533066#Comment_122533066

Oh Jesus. Maybe Santa can bring something else.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122896486#Comment_122896486

Hate to break it to ya but 12 year olds know what dildos are